On Thursday last, I dropped the mutts at Dakneese and then H & I headed SOUTH!
Tampa was our destination!
We made it there in good time and found a great little Pizza spot called Wood Fire, pizza and wine. Just up our alley!
The bartender (we always sit at the bar as we get to meet more people that way) thought we were regulars! She got all flustered because she didn't explain their menu to us because we seemed like we'd been there before. Too bad it isn't located in Alpharetta.....we'd have our new favorite---regular---restaurant!
In the am, we drove south to Sarasota to catch up with H & S and baby Sophie! What a nice morning/lunch time! Sophie is ADORABLE!! Then we headed back north.....during rush hour...and the drive wasn't bad at all....surprisingly. We took a little nap and then found a spot to watch the Nationwide race. But it wasn't a good choice so we had an appetizer and went back to the room. We were much more comfortable there.
In the am, we headed over to Dunedin where we found a perfect little cafe for lunch and the walked to the city marina. It was nice to be out and about. Whenever I'm near a marina, I wish I was more of a boat/water person. But I'm not and I should be glad cuz we don't have the budget for those kinds of toys!
Ok, maybe we could afford something like this:
After we moseyed for a bit, we headed back to the hotel where we arrived just after the Aussie's! So we headed out to the pool so the kids could swim a little and we could share some stubbies! (beer)
Damien, Kaden, Steve
Karena & Kaden
Kaden is full of energy and pushes buttons! Mom knows how to settle him down tho.
Kaden pushing buttons!
Punishment for acting up!
No worries....not a hair got wet.
After pool time, we headed back to Wood Fire and had some pizzas.
Zali & Steve & H.
Lilly, Cindy, Kade & Karena
Our hotel was about 1/2 mile from Busch Gardens. So we got up bright and early and were there 20min before the gates opened! Whew!
Gracyn can't wait to get in!
We really enjoyed Busch Gardens. I never quite understood the mix of zoo and amusement park. Guess I still don't, but they did a really good job of mixing things up. We didn't see it all, but that is ok....we can go back!
Lions and tigers and bears, OH MY!
Oh, just lions...and behind glass....whew!
The kids going on a safari!
H is at the far left....Cindy or Karena, then Gracyn, Damien & Lilly!
Cousins....
H & Steve being brave AFTER the ride is over. Mine, all mine!
The littler folk were really good while we waited for the bigger folk to go on their rides.
Lilly adopted an orangutan on her last birthday. So we spent extra time at the Orangutan exhibit. They are looking through a glass window in the floor to see the one below us.
fun!
The tigers were pretty cool too.
After lunch, Karena wisely made us go for a train ride around the park. Some down time was good for all of us. Plus, we got to see a lot of animals!
The lazy river ride. It was the only ride I went on....and I got SOAKED! Ugh. Gracyn thought that was pretty funny. Here, Cindy is laughing at something that H said, probably about me getting so wet. But he got part of it too....
Kade & Zali were too small to go on the Tidal Wave and so they were waiting on the bridge for our guys to come down. They enjoyed getting wet from the splash!
Kade was limited in which rides he could go on cuz he is only 46". Towards the end of the day, we found Sesame Street-land and he had fun on some rides.
Zali wasn't much for rides either so her & I went on the big jungle gym! I couldn't go into some of it with her, so I just took photos.
Boy, did the day go fast! Kade was tired and, yet, still wanted to keep going. He was putting up a fuss, but he came out of it....especially when Mom caught up to him. Just relaxing a few minutes before the hike back to the hotel.
What a fun day!
Once we got to the hotel, we hopped into their van and went to Appleby's. It was good. Quick service, yummy food, great staff. And everyone was hungry!
Sounds like we all slept well.
We all made it down to have breakfast together at the hotel. Then it was time to pack up and hit the road!
Since Cindy wasn't there, H was going to steal her soccer ball that she wrestled some lady for at the Rod Stewart concert that she went to in Las Vegas! I think she would have driven across the country after us to get it back!
Getting all loaded up!
Definitely a puzzle to get everything in! Not quite 4 weeks into their trip and no one has expanded their luggage yet! Good thing that they took the 15 passenger van instead of the 9!
Friends for life!
The girls staking their real estate!
Pulling out.
On the road again....
Good bye, friends...
Travel safely...
What an absolutely funnest of fun times!
How I wish we all lived closer.
Hey....maybe we can still move to AU when we retire???
Well, we made it home in good time. I drove so that H could attend to any work that came in. We both slept very well. Now it is getting ready for Chris & Deb to come! Whoo HOOO!
I told you that April was filling up with fun things!
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